Kilkenny's Eileen Rose Power was in philosophical mood after ending the Vagliano trophy match between Britain and Ireland and the Continent of Europe with a singles defeat. The team from the Continent won the event 14-10.

Power did not have the most successful of weekends. She picked up half a point from her first foursomes match with Elaine Ratcliffe, and was crushed 5 and 3 in the singles by French star, Maitena Alsuguren, after a disastrous spell on the back nine.

They were square at the turn, but then Alsuguren produced some magic, winning the 10th with a birdie, holing out from a bunker for an eagle three at the 11th and then collecting another couple of birdies to win the match.

"There was really nothing I could do about it. She threw everything at me - it was quite remarkable," said Power.

Britain and Ireland were trailing 7 1/2 4 1/2 at the end of the first day and, realistically, had no way back into the match